Radial truck.



PATENTED MAY 9, 1905.

E.E.GO0K. RADIAL TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-8,1904.

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RADIAL TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.8,1904.

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Patented May 9, 1905.

Prion.

ELMER ELSl/VORTH COOK, OF LOUGHBOROUGH, ENGLAND.

RADIAL TRUCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 789,654, dated May 9,1905.

Application filed November 8, 1904. $erial No. 231,8 L8.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELMER ELSWORTH COOK, a citizen of the United Statesof America, residing at Loughborough, in the county of Leicester,England, have invented Improvements in Radial Trucks, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention has reference to trucks for tramway and like vehicles,and is applicable to such as run on four wheels and have a relativelylong wheel-base and whose axles have a movement radial to the track orcurve.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved form ofconstruction of such trucks and also to provide means whereby thebrake-gear is simplified and the brake-blocks caused to be always in aposition to engage the wheels without the provision of compensatinggear.

In a truck constructed in accordance with this invention each axle ismounted in a frame that is pivoted at its inner end to the truck at apoint between the axle and the central portion of the truck. Each frameis provided with an electric motor, and on the frame the brake-gear isalso carried and so arranged that the brake-blocks always come intoproper contact with the wheels when the gear is operated, even when thevehicle is rounding a curve or is entering or leaving a turnout.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 arerespectively a side elevation and a plan of a truck constructed inaccordance with this invention. Fig. 3 is a partial plan view of amodified construction of truck. Figs. 41, 5, 6, and 7 are respectively aplan, a section on the line A B of Fig. 41, a longitudinal section, anda front elevation of the inner axle-box. Figs. 8 and 9 are a plan and aside view, respectively, of the top guides. Figs. 10 and 11 are similarviews to Figs. 8 and 9 of the bottom guides; and Figs. 12 and 13 are aplan and side elevation, respectively, of the outer axle-box.

As is obvious, the figures are not drawn to the same scale.

In the two constructions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and in Fig. 3 the truckcomprises two upper longitudinal side members 1, upon which the sill ofthe car-body rests, and two lower longitudinal side members 2. Each ofthe lower side members 2 is formed toward each end thereof with a yoke3, having axlebox guides 4. The two lower longitudinal side members 2are connected together at or near the central portion of their length bytwo transversely-arranged members 5. These transversely-arranged members5 comprise beams of channel section connected to the side members 2 byangle-irons 6 and spaced at a suitable distance apart. Secured to theupper and lower sides of the transversely-arranged members 5 and aboutmidway of their length are plates 7. In each of these plates and midwaybetween tlie transversely-arranged members 5 is formed a bearing for avertically-arranged shaft 8, whose upper end is secured to theequalizing-bar 9 of the brake-gear.

The end of each axle 20 is mounted in a compound axle-box, hereinafterto be described. Each axle-box 10 has extending outwardly andlongitudinally of the vehicle from two opposite sides thereof aspring-holder 11. The springholders are near to or, as shown, may extendbelow the lowest portion of the axle box proper. Between eachspring-holder 11 and a correspondingly arranged spring holder mounted onthe under side of the lower side member 2 is placed a coiledbearing-spring 12. Extending below each axle-box 10 and itsspring-holders 11 and longitudinally of the vehicle is a bar or carrier13, that is suspended from the upper side member 1 by a pair of rods14:. These rods 14 are surrounded at that portion of their length whichis between the lower face of the upper side member 1 and theupper faceof the lower side member 2 by coiled springs 15, that are seated inspring-holders 16 and 17, secured to the upper and lower faces of thelower and upper side members 2 and 1, respectively. The ends of theupper side members 1 that overhang the ends of the lower side members 2are supported by laminated plate-springs 18, carried by the lower sidemembers 2.

19 represents the frames mounted on the axles 20 and which partly carrythe electric motors and are pivoted at a point between the axles 20 andthe central portion of the truck. Each of the frames is mounted at onepart on an axle 20, the frame being so arranged that its bearings comeeither between the wheels 21, as shown in Fig. 3, or outside of thewheels, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The inner side of each frame 19 extends inwardly toward the centralportion of the truck and is pivoted thereto at a point between the axle20 and the central portion of the truck. In the arrangements now beingdescribed each frame 19 is shown pivoted on a pin 22 between the plates7, carried by the transversely-arranged members 5. The plates 7 extendat each end beyond the transverselyarranged members 5 toward the outerends of the vehicle to enable this pivotal connection to be made. 23 isthe electric motor that is mounted. as usual, at one side on the axle20. The other side of the motor is supported by and connected to atransverselyarranged bar 24, that is mounted at each end on coiledsprings 25, carried by lugs 26, secured to the frame 19.

Each of the axles 20 is journaled in such wise that the axle can radiatewhen the car is entering or leaving a curve or turnout, the center ofradiation being the pivotal point-. 0., the pin 22 of the frame 19. Thismovement of the axle radial to the curve is permitted by mounting eachend of the axle in a compound journal box or bearing that comprises anouter box and an inner box 27, Figs. 4 to 13. The outer box is capableof a Vertical movement in the guides 4 and forms a carrier for the innerbox 27, in which the axle rotates. This inner box moves vertically withthe outer box, but is also capable of a movement separated therefrOm z'.6., a lateral and sliding movement therein. To permit of this lattermovement, the outer box is made considerably wider than the inner boxand is provided with curved guides 28 29 at the top and bottom,respectively. These guides are in the form of ribs and engage withcorrespondingly formed grooves 30 31in the top and bottom of the innerbox, respectively. The guides 28 29 are not made in one with the outerbox, but each is provided with a boss 28 29 on its back, which isadapted to enter a hole 28 29", formed in the top and bottom walls ofthe outer box, so that the guides can swivel, if necessary. The topguide 28 is made to slope slightly from its outer ends toward itscenter, as shown in Fig. 9. The grooves 30 31 in the inner box areformed by walls that extend upwardly and downwardly from the upper andlower external faces of the box and are curved to correspond with thecurvature of the guides 28 29. The groove 30 in the top of the box ismade to curve slightly downwardly from its central portion toward itsends and to thus cooperate with-its guide 28. As the top guides andgrooves of each axlebox are curved in a similar manner, they tend tocause the axle-boxes to return to their normal and central position whenthe truck is passing from 011 a curve.

The brakework is supported from the outer end of each frame 19, thebrake-blocks 32 being carried by links 33, that are attached to arms 34on the frame. The brake-blocks 32 of each pair of wheels are alsoconnected together by means of a transverse bar 35, that is connected bytwo links 36 to two depending arms 37 of a second transverse shaft 38,mounted at the inner part of the frame. This second transverse shaft 38has a third depending arm 39, that is connected by a link 40 to one armof a lever 41, that is carried by the lower end of the shaft ,8. Thearrangement is such that when the shaft 8 is turned by operation of thebrake-handle motion is communicated to the transverse shaft 38, which ispartly turned on its axis in such wise that the links 36 are caused topull on the transverse bar 35, and so bring the blocks 32 into contactwith the wheels. The brake-blocks 32 are normally held in the offposition by means of springs 42, that are connected to thefirstly-mentioned transverse bar 35.

It will be understood that with the arrangement above described thewheels are able to take any curve and that the brake-gear, being carriedby the frame, in which the wheels are also arranged, will take part withsuch frame in its movements and will always be in perfect alinement andin a position ready to act on the wheels, and there will be no need toprovide compensating gear, such as is necessary when the brake-gear'iscarried by the truck itself. Also the brakes with the presentarrangement are more efficient, and it is not necessary to provideblocks on either side of each wheel, as is sometimes now the case.

What I claim is-- 1. In a four-wheel radial truck, the combination withthe truck proper, of axles movable endwise in axle boxes in said truckproper, frames, partly supporting the motors, mounted on said axles andpivoted to the truck proper at a point between the axles and centralportion of the truck, as set forth.

2. In a four-wheel radial truck, the combination with the truck proper,of axles radially movable in axle-boxes in said truck proper, frames,partly supporting the motors, mounted on said axles and pivoted to thetruck proper at a point between the axles and central portion of thetruck, as set forth.

3. In a four-wheel radial truck, the combination with the truck properand axles mounted therein, of frames mounted on said axle and pivoted tothe truck proper at a point between the axles and central portion of thetruck, and brake-gear carried by said frames wholly independent of thetruck, as set forth.

4. In a four-wheel radial truck, the combination with the truck proper,of axles radially movable in said truck, frames mounted on said axlesand pivoted to the truck proper at a point between the axles and centralportion of the truck and brake-gear carried by said frames whollyindependent of the truck as set forth.

5. A four-wheel radial truck comprising upper and lower longitudinalside members, springs supporting said members, axles mounted in thelower of said members, and frames, partly supporting the motors, mountedon said axles and pivoted to the truck at a point between the axles andcentral portion of the truck, as set forth.

6. A four-wheel radial truck comprising upper and lower longitudinalside members, springs supporting said members, axles movable radially,mounted in the lower of said members, and frames, partly supporting themotors, mounted on said axles and pivoted to the truck proper at a pointbetween the axles and central portion thereof, as set forth.

7. A four-wheel radial truck comprising upper and lower longitudinalside members, springs supporting said members, axles mounted in thelower of said members, frames, partly supporting the motors, mounted onsaid axles and pivoted to the truck at a point between the axles andcentral portion of the truck and brake-gear carried by said frameswholly independent of the truck, as set forth.

8. A four-Wheel radial truck comprising upper and lower longitudinalside members, springs supporting said members, axles movable radially,mounted in the lower of said members, frames, partly supporting themotors, mounted on said axles and pivoted to the truck proper at a pointbetween the axles and central portion thereof, and brake-gear carried bysaid frames wholly independent of the truck, as set forth.

9. A four-wheel radial truck comprising upper and lower longitudinalside members, springs interposed between said members, axles mounted inaxle-boxes movable vertically in guides in said lower members, springsinterposed between said axle-boxes and lower members, and a framemounted on each of said axles, each frame partly supporting a motor andbeing pivoted at its inner side to the truck at a point between its axleand the central portion of the truck, as set forth.

10. A four-wheel radial truck comprising upper and lower longitudinalside members, springs interposed between said members, axles movableradially mounted in axle-boxes movable vertically in guides in saidlower members, springs interposed between said axle-boxes and lowermembers, and a frame mounted on each of said axles, each frame partlysupporting a motor and being pivoted at its inner side to the truck at apoint between its axle and the central portion of the truck, as setforth.

11. A four-wheel radial truck comprising upper and lower longitudinalside members, springs interposed between said members,

axles mounted in axle-boxes movable vertically in guides in said lowermembers, springs interposed between said axle-boxes and lower members, aframe mounted on each of said axles, each frame partly supporting amotor and being pivoted at its inner side to the truck at a pointbetween its axle and the central portion of the truck, and brake-gearcarried by each of said frames wholly independent of the truck, as setforth.

12. A four-wheel radial truck comprising upper and lower longitudinalside members, springs interposed between said members, axles movableradially mounted in axle-boxes movable vertically in guides in saidlower members, springs interposed between said axle-boxes and lowermembers, a frame mounted on each of said axles, each frame partlysupporting a motor and being pivoted at its inner side to the truck at apoint between its axle and the central portion of the truck, andbrake-gear carried by each of said frames wholly independent of thetruck, as set forth.

13. A four-wheel radial truck comprising upper and lower longitudinalside members, springs supporting said members, transversecentrally-arranged members connecting said lower members together, axlesmounted in the lower of said members, and frames partly supporting themotors, mounted on said axles and pivoted to said transversecentrally-arranged members, as set forth.

14. A four-wheel radial truck comprising upper and lower longitudinalside members, springs supporting said members, transversecentrally-arranged members connecting said lower members together, axlesmovable radially mounted in the lower of said members, and frames partlysupporting the motors, mounted on said axles and pivoted to saidtransverse centrally-arranged members, as set forth.

15. A four-wheel radial truck comprising upper and lower longitudinalside members, springs supporting said members, transversecentrally-arranged members connecting said lower members together, axlesmounted in the lower of said members, frames partly supporting themotors, mounted on said axles and pivoted to said transversecentrally-arranged members, and brake-gear carried by said frames whollyindependent of the truck, as set forth.

16. A four-wheel radial truck comprising upper and lower longitudinalside members, springs supporting said members, transversecentrally-arranged members connecting said lower members together, axlesmovable radially mounted in the lower of said members, frames partlysupporting the motors, mounted on said axles and pivoted to saidtransverse centrally-arranged members, and brake-gear carried by saidframes wholly independent of the truck, as set forth.

17. A four-wheel radial truck comprising IIO movable radially mounted inaxle-boxes movable vertically in guides in said lower members, springsinterposed between said axleboxes and lower members, and a frame mountedon each of said axles, each frame partly supporting a motor and beingpivoted at its side to said transverse centrally-arranged members, asset forth.

19. A four-wheel radial truck comprising upper and lower longitudinalside members, springs interposed between said members,

" transverse centrally-arranged members connecting said lower memberstogether, axles movable radially mounted 1n axle-boxes movablevertically in guides in said lower members, springs interposed betweensaid axleboxes and lower members, a frame mounted on each of said axles,each frame partly supporting a motor and being pivoted at its inner sideto said transverse centrally-arranged members, and brake-gear carried byeach of said frames wholly independent of the truck, as set forth.

20. A four-wheel radial truck comprising upper and lower longitudinalside members, springs interposed between said members, transversecentrally-arranged members connecting said lower members together, axlesmounted in axle-boxes movable vertically in guides in said lowermembers, springs interposed between said axle-boxes and lower members, aframe mounted on each of said axles, each frame partly supporting amotor and being pivoted at its inner side to said transversecentrally-arranged members and brake-gear carried by each 0f-said frameswholly independent of the truck.

Signed at Birmingham, England, this 15th day of October, 1904:.

ELMER ELSVVORTH COOK.

Witnesses E. HARKER, MARSHAL HALs'rEAD.

